Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini said Wednesday “something has to change” if Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham expects to improve the relationship with Innu people, and move ahead with natural resource developments on Innu land.
Ashini shared the sentiment on the heels of a roughly three-hour meeting with Wakeham, alongside a major mining conference at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in St. John’s on Wednesday.
Taking questions at Confederation Building, the premier said he took the meeting as an opportunity to introduce Innu leadership to the province’s new lead negotiator on the Churchill River power file, Gary Smith. He also agreed to travel to Sheshatshiu and speak further with representatives for the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Mushuau Innu First Nation.
Those travel details should be set “in the next few weeks.”
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There is a standing dispute between the Innu First Nations and provincial government over recognition of the timeline for the Innu presence in Labrador. Asked if that was addressed in the day’s meeting, the premier said he doesn’t intend to talk about the timeline.
“What I am interested in learning is to find out exactly, and listen to what the Innu have to say, and listen to their concerns, and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” he said.
Back at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, Ashini said Innu people are “fed up” with the provincial government and what they consider as a lack of recognition and respect. That includes a recognition of Innu history on the Labrador Peninsula reaching back beyond 300 years.
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“We need to see respect. We need to have Innu at the table. This is our land,” Ashini said.
She said the premier’s agreement to go to Sheshatshiu was “a breakthrough” and she hasn’t closed the door on improved relations with the province.
However, she said she stands by the idea there is more work for the premier and provincial government, particularly if the projects Wakeham spoke to at the conference are to move ahead on Innu land, including further Churchill River development.
“We’ve never held it up. But at some point something has to change,” she said.
The premier gave a speech earlier in the day to open the Mineral Resources Review conference, an annual event. Over about 10 minutes, he spoke to provincial mining successes, labour demands, government red tape and the need for predictability for investors.
“Not once did he even talk about building relations with the Innu,” Ashini said.
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